Hat form and hanger



Dec. 12, 1939. KRAFT 2,182,924

HAT FORM AND HANGER Filed Sept. 16, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 GeorgeJfffidfil? IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 12, 1939. G. J. KRA 2,182,924

HAT FORM AND HANGER Filed Sept. 16, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 GeorgeINVENTOR.

4/ ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 12, 1939 HAT FORM AND' HANGER George J Kraft,

Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Application September 16, 1938, Serial No. 230,341

Claims.

This invention relates to a combined hat form and hanger, one of theobjects being to provide a simple and eflicient device for holding alltypes of hats where they will be suspended out of contact with anysupporting surfaces and at the same time kept in correct shape untilsuch time as it may be desired to use them.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which can besuspended readily from. in beneath a shelf or other support, can be usedin connection with a paper cover such as a bag for housing the hat whileit is being supported, and can be easily adjusted for use with hats ofdifferent sizes.

A further object is to provide a combined hat form and hanger which willnot only keep the hat in proper shape while supported but will alsoabsorb perspiration or excess oil that may be in the hatband and therebyprolong the life of the go. hat.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully describedand pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may bemade in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as claimed.

30, In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention hasbeen shown.

In said drawings- 1 Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device, a stiffstraw hat and a paper bag housing the same, being shown in positionthereon by dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a bottom or back View of the device.

Figure 3 is an enlarged section on line 3-3, Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section on line 44, Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a section on line 55, Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a perspective View of the gripping slide.

Figure '7 is a side elevation of the hanger with portions removed, thesaid device being shown in engagement with a derby.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference I designates anelongated frame constituting the body or base of the device, this beingformed of a single length of wire bent to provide parallel side members2 joined at one endby an angular connecting portion 3 while theterminals of the wire at the other end of the frame are bent to providespaced hooks 5. At intermediate points, the sides of the frame arejoined by cross pieces 5 and 6 respectively and constituting stopdevices as hereinafter explained. Instead of making the frame F fiatfrom end to end, it is preferred to bend the same adjacent to thecenter, and as indicated at i, so that opposed portions of the framewill diverge away from this intermediate or bent portion.

' A slide of any suitable construction has been indicated at 8 and isinterposed between and adapted to move along the sides 2 of the frame i.This slide is connected to the cross member 6. by a light coiled spring9 which extends under the slide and is attached preferably to a lug itdepending therefrom. Extending from theupper portion of the slide and inthe same general direction as the connecting member t an ear I l' whichcan be formed with an opening if therein as shown whereby it can begripped conveniently and is reduced in weight. Spring t obviously holdsthe slide normally drawn close to the cross member 5 and when it is thuspositioned, the, distance between the slide and the hooks 4 is less thanthe overall distance between opposed ends of a hatv to be supported. Forexample, and as shown in Figure 7, if it should be desired to hold aderby or other hat which does not require the use of a form, the hooks 4are placed in engagement with the brim of the derby D or the like andslide 3 is pulled along frame I untilthe ear H is removed from under thehat. The slide is then permitted to return gently into position and inengagement with the hat at a point diametrically opposite the books twhereupon the hat will be held firmly to the device which thereafter canbe suspended by placing the angular end 3 thereof in engagement with asupporting hook H or the like.

As a general rule it is desirable to use with the device a pair of formsadapted to extend into the hat and hold it in shape. This is especiallytrue where the hanger is to be used for supporting a stiff straw hat S,as in Figure 1', or a soft felt hat. A stiff straw hat, when it becomeswet, frequently gets out of shape and it is an object of the presentinvention not only to support the hat, but also to maintain it in propershape Whereby', after it has dried, it will not be distorted. As shownin the drawings the two forms are duplicates and each includes anarcuate plate 113 provided at the center of its lower edge with a slot Mthe width of which is less than the distance between the sides 2 of theframe I. Laterally extended recesses I5 are formed in the side walls ofthe slots at the upper ends thereof and constitute seatsfor receivingthe sides 2 of the frame and thus holding the plate I3 assembled withthe frame.

A guide plate I6 is located adjacent to the plate and connected theretoby braces I! and I8, brace ll being preferably inclined upwardly towardand connected at its upper end to plate I3 while the braces i8, whichare integral with guide plates I6 and are located at opposite sides ofbrace H, are extended toward and connected to the plate E3 in anysuitable manner, they being substantially parallel with the frame I.Guide plate I3 has a clot I9 extending upwardly thereinto from its loweredge, this slot being'of a width less than the distance between the sidemembers 2 of the frame I. Laterally extending recesses 20 are providedin the side walls of slot I9 at their upper ends and form seats forreceiving the sides 2 when they are in normal position. Thus when theguide plate I6 is fixedly joined to the form plate I3 as described, saidform plate can be held against tilting relative to the frame I as longas the form plate and its side plate are in engagement with the frame asshown. However the form plate and its guide plate It are free to slidealong the frame I.

One of the forms is held normally pressed against the connections by acoiled spring ill. The opposed form, however, is adjustably mounted onframe I and is adapted to be held in any desired position. The meansemployed for this purpose includes a clamp of novel construction whichhas been shown in detail in Figure 6. This clamp consists of a wire bentto form a cross or intermediate portion 22 merging at its ends intodownwardly inclined hooks 23 adapted to straddle and slide along thesides 2 of the frame I. These hooks, in turn, merge into side arms 24which are supported along the outer sides of the members 2 and terminatein loops 25 which extend around the respective side members as shown.The arms 24 are formed of spring metal and tend normally to spread apartso that the two loops 25 thus normally bind upon the members 2 and thushold the clamp against sliding movement. This clamp is located on themembers 2 between its form plate and the guide plate I6 connectedthereto. Thus when the clamp is fixed in position on the frame I, theform associated therewith is also fixed against movement. However bypressing the arms 2 toward each other the pressure of the loops 25 onthe side portions 2 of the frame is relieved and it is thus possible tomove the clamp along the frame so that it will carry the form therewith.After the form has reached a desired position, the clamp is released andthe loops 25 promptly bind on the side portions 2 of the frame so as tohold the form against further free movement.

As before stated each form includes a plate I3. This plate is bowedtransversely and the convex surface of each plate is covered by a pad 26of sponge rubber of suitable thickness, this pad, if preferred, beingchemically treated so as to absorb oils and perspiration containedwithin the engaged hat.

The two forms are oppositely disposed with their concave faces towardeach other. The clamp 22 and the form associated therewith are adjustedto a point adjacent to the center of the frame I and the other form isthen drawn toward the center against the action of spring 2|. The twoforms are then placed inside the hat and the spring-actuated form willbe shifted away from the opposed form until opposed portions of the hatare firmly engaged by the two forms as indicated in Figure 1. By slidingclamp 22 and its form toward the hooks 4, the brim of the engaged hatwill be forced by the spring-actuated form into position under the hooks4 and thereafter the slide 8 can be adjusted to bring the ear H intoengagement with the brim at a diametrically opposed point. Thus the hatwill be held in shape, if wet and can at the same time be suspended froma hook or the like. If desired the upper end of the hanger can beinserted through the bottom of an inverted bag B which thus can be usedto protect the hat while the device is in use.

Where the forms are employed it is generally not necessary to use thespring 9. All that is required is to provide a slide which will be movedinto and out of hat-engaging position.

When it is desired to remove the forms from the frame i it is merelynecessary to press the sides 2 of the frame toward each other. This willwithdraw them from the notches or recesses I5 and 20 so that the formsand their guide plates will thus be released. Spring 26 can of course bedetached readily from the cross member 5 to which it is hooked.

If desired various changes in the construction and arrangement of theparts can be effected within the scope of the appended claims and thedifierent parts can be made of any desired materials other than metal.

Obviously if the device is used for holding a soft hat, it will not benecessary to place the brim in engagement with the hooks land ear II.Instead the hat will be supported solely by the two forms one of whichis held stationary while the other is pressed against the hat gently byits spring 2|.

What is claimed is:

1. A hat forni and hanger including an elongated frame for engagement atone end with a support, opposed arcuate forms mounted on the frame, eachform including a plate having a slot open at the bottom for receivingthe frame, there being oppositely extending recesses in the walls of theslot constituting seats for the side portions of the frame, a guideplate connected to each form and having a frame receiving slot in thebottom edge thereof, there being notches in opposed walls of the slotfor receiving the side portions of the frame, said frame beingcontractible laterally to withdraw it from the recesses and slots,yielding means connecting one of the forms to the frame for urging saidform in one direction, and a clamp mounted on and frictionally engagingthe frame between the other form and its guide plate.

2. A hat form and hanger including an elongated resilient frame forengagement at one end with a support, opposed forms slidably mounted onthe frame, each of said forms including an arcuate plate having a slotextending into the bottom thereof for the reception of a frame, therebeing opposed notches in the walls of the slot for receiving the sideportions of the frame, a guide plate connected to each form plate andhaving a frame receiving slot in the bottom thereof provided withopposed notches for receiving the side portions of the frame, said framebeing contractible laterally to Withdraw its side portions from thenotches and permit withdrawal of the frame from the slots, said formsbeing insertable into opposed portions of a hat mounted on the frame,means for holding the forms adjustably to the frame, and yielding meansfor connecting the other form to the frame for urging said form awayfrom the held form thereby to subject an engaged hat to outward pressurefrom the forms on which it is mounted.

3. A hat form and hanger including an elongated resilient frame forengagement at one end with a support, opposed forms slidably mounted onthe frame, each of said forms including an arcuate plate having a slotextending into the bottom thereof for the reception of a frame, therebeing opposed notches in the walls of the slot for receiving the sideportions of the frame, a guide plate connected to each form plate andhaving a frame receiving slot in the bottom thereof provided withopposed notches for receiving the side portions of the frame, said framebeing contractible laterally to withdraw its side portions from thenotches and permit withdrawal of the frame from the slots, said formsbeing insertable into opposed portions of a hat mounted on the frame,means for holding the forms adjustably to the frame, and yielding meansfor connecting the other form to the frame for urging said form awayfrom the held form thereby to subject an engaged hat to outward pressurefrom the forms on which it is mounted, and cooperating fixed and movablemeans on the frame for engaging the rim of said hat at diametricallyopposed points while the hat is on the forms.

4. A hat form and hanger including an elongated resilient frame forengagement at one end with a support, opposed forms slidably mounted onthe frame, each of said forms including an arcuate plate having a slotextending into the bottom thereof for the reception of a frame, therebeing opposed notches in the walls of the slot for receiving the sideportions of the frame, a guide plate connected to each form plate andhaving a frame receiving slot in the bottom thereof provided withopposed notches for receiving the side portions of the frame, said framebeing contract ible laterally to withdraw its side portions from thenotches and permit withdrawal of the frame from the slots, said formsbeing insertable into opposed portions of a hat mounted on the frame,means for holding the forms adjustabiy to the frame, and yielding meansfor connecting the other form to the frame for urging said form awayfrom the held form thereby to subject an engaged hat to outward pressurefrom the forms on which it is mounted, and cooperating fixed and movablemeans on the frame for engaging the rim of said hat at diametricallyopposed points while the hat is on the forms, said means including hooksat one end of the frame, and a slideadjustable along the frame, saidslide including a rim-engaging ear.

5. A hat form and hanger including an elongated frame for engagement atone end with a support, opposed arcuate forms mounted on the frame, eachform including a plate having a slot open at the bottom for receivingthe frame, there being oppositely extending recesses in the walls of theslot constituting seats for the side portions of the frame, and a guideplate connected to each form and having a frame receiving slot in thebottom edge thereof, there being notches in opposed walls of the slotfor receiving the side portions of the frame, said frame beingcontractible laterally to withdraw it from the recesses and slots.

' GEORGE J. KRAFT.

